Windshield wiper



WINDSHIELD WIPER Filed March 30, 1936 INVENTOR.

EharlesBPfeviIi.

Patented Apr. 6, 1937 UNITED STATES WINDSHIELD WIPER Charles S. Previti, Sayville, N. Y. Application March 30, 1936, Serial No. 71,789

12 Claims.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved and simplified valve action mechanism wherein the action of reversing the suction in the cleaner motor from one cylinder to the other for reversal of power application is accomplished in a noiseless manner.

A further object resides in the novel arrangement for providing an adjustable time delay between the rock shaft and valve, and thru which 15 means the length of travel of the wiper blade may also be regulated.

A further object resides in the novel construction wherein the spring means for snap-over movement of the valve, also serves as a checkor stop to prevent any clicking together of parts.

A further object is to provide mechanism of this character embodying comparatively few and simple parts which may be easily assembled and retained in operative relation by a single securing means.

, Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specifica- 30 tion and in which drawing:-

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a suction oper-. ated windshield cleaner motor embodying the present invention, with the cover for the valve chamber removed.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section thru the motor and valve mechanism.

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the parts disassembled and arranged in the order of assembly.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are somewhat diagrammatic views showing the valve mechanism in various positions of movement.

Referring to the drawing in detail and wherein like reference characters designate correspond- 5 ing parts thruout the several views, the improved valve mechanism has been shown applied to a windshield cleaner motor of the suction operated vane piston type embodying a substantially semicircular-shaped casing 5 closed at its upper side 50 by a cover 6. Journaled in the casing 5 is a rock shaft 1 to which isaflixed a vane-piston 8 operable with a back and forth swinging movement in the casing 5. One end of this rock shaft 1 projects from the easing into a valve chamber 9 55 closed by a removable cover It], while the opposite end of the shaft projects from the casing and is adapted to receive awiper blade operating arm (not shown). In the example of motor shown, the cover 6 is provided with'a flat valve seat ll having a suction port l2 interposed bewteen two cylinder ports l3 and which cylinder ports communicate with the chamber of the casing 5, one at each side of the piston 8. These ports l2 and I3 are arranged concentric to the rock shaft 1, and the suction port i2 is adapted to be alternately placed in communication with the cylinder ports l3 by means of an oscillating valve member ll acting to shift the suction from one to the other side of the piston lating movement to the rock shaft I. v V The valve member I4 is provided with a round opening l5 for receiving the rock shaft 1 and has a U-shaped lower portion providing spaced apart arms it which extend below -the rock shaft. Provided in of the valve member II is an arcuate rib 11 forming an arcuate recess in the seat engaging face of the valve by which the suction port l2 may alternately communicate with the cylinder ports i3 upon rocking of the valve. Arranged to normally urge the valve member it upon the seat II is a valve seating member or plate l8 having a round opening 19 to rotatably receive the rock shaft I whereby the upper portion of the plate bears lightly upon the arcuate rib l1. vided with downwardly the seat engaging 'portion I 8 for imparting an oscil- The seating member or plate I8 is proextending leg portions 29 each having its lower end tumed' at a right angle to provide rests .2i which extend into the recessed portion 22 of the valve chamber and engage upon shoulders 23 formed at the inner ends of the cover studs 24. These cover studs 24 have threaded bores at their outer ends for receiving screws 25 serving to secure the cover In in place. This engagement of the rests 2| upon the shoulders 23 serves to retain the member i8 against rotation bearing upon the valve rib H.

The rock shaft I is provided adjacent its outer end with a transversely formed slot 26 hav ing its flat bottom surface extending substantially diametrically 'of the shaft. Removably fitting over the slotted end portion, of the shaft 1 is a valve shifting member 21 embodying a tubular sleeve portion on the shaft. Depending from the inner end of the sleeve 29 is a plate portion 30 thru which is extended a cylindrical kicker pin arranged. parallel to the axis-of the sleeve 29; This pin projects beyond both faces of the plate portion 29 having a rotating! fit with its upper portion I r 38 and provides a valve engaging portion 3| at the inner side of the plate and a pivot pin portion 32 at the outer side of the plate. The pin portion 3| extends between the spaced arms l6 of the valve member l4 and as will be observed, the diameter of the pin is considerably less than the spacing between the aims l6. The open space between the legs 20 of the member .|8 permits the pin portion 3| 10 the arms "5.

The sleeve portion28 is provided with a tapped, radially extending opening 33 for reoeiving a combined retaining and regulating screw 34 having} a plain cylindrical inner end portion adapted to extend into the slot 26 to various degrees thru rotation of the screw. The inner end of this screw 34 coacts with the bottom of the slot 26 to provide a delayed movement between the rock shaft 1 and the valve shifting member 21. Encircling the shaft 1 between the members 8 and 21 is a light coil spring 35 which exerts pressure upon the member l8 and urges the valve member l4 upon its seat II. By observing Figure 2 it will be seen that 25 the screw 34 serves to retain the members I4, I 8, 21 and 35 in operative relation upon the rock shaft 1.

A wire spring member 36 is provided to eflect final throw of the valve member l4 and this spring member is so disposed as to not only effect this final throw with a snap-over movement, but also as a check to prevent clicking together of parts. This wire spring member 36 is formed from a single length of spring wire coiled midway of its ends into an eye 31 which is adapted to freely rmeive the pivot pin 32. Extending in slightly diverging relation from the eye 31 are arms 38, and the free lower ends of these arms are directed in arcs toward one 4o another with the terminal portions coiled into axially aligning eyes 38. These aligning eyes 38 are adapted to fit freely over a fixed pin or stud 40 preferably cast integral with the motor casing 5. .This stud 48 projects into the valve chamber 9 in vertical alignment below the rock shaft 1. The normal shape of the spring mem ber 36, that is, when the arms 38 are under no bowing tension, is as shown in Figure 1 and at which time the valve shifting member 21 has 50 reached one limit of swinging movement.

Referring particularly to Figures 4, 5 and 6, showing various positions of movement of the valve mechanism, Figure 4 shows the parts in a position corresponding to Figure 1 with the pis- 5 ton 8 at its limit of movement in one direction in the casing 5. Figure 5 shows in full lines, the piston 8 and shaft 1 having been moved in a counter-clockwise direction to an extent where the bottom of the slot 26 is just engaging the inner end of the regulating screw 34 so as to impart rotary movement to the shifting member 21 in a counter-clockwise direction, and the kicker pin portion 3| is still contacting the arm l6 at the left of; the valve member I4. In this position it will be noted that the piston 8 has swung for the greater portion of its travel or for about seven-eighths of its entire Swin ing movement. The 'dotted showing'of the member 21 in Figure 5 shows the piston having traveled substantially for its entire movement and shifted the member 21 to its dead centerposition thru engagement -of the screw 34 with the bottom of the slot 26 whereby the kicker pin portion 3| is in alignment between the shaft 1 and pin 48 and just contacting the to extend between arms 38 of the spring 36. In

arm l6 at the right of the valve member l4. Figure B-shows the position of parts at the end of the movement after the valve member M has been snapped over by the spring member 36 to reverse the direction of power application. In Figure 4, and as in Figure 5, showing the two starting positions of the mechanism, it will be seen that the regulating screw 34 is out of contact with the bottom of the slot 26.

In operation, with the parts in a position as in Figures 1 and 4, when a suction is created in the casing 5 at the right of the piston 8, the shaft 1 will start to rotate in a counter-clockwise direc- Y 29 will remain tion, while the members l4 and stationary. The shaft continues to rotate until the bottom of the slot 26 comes into contact with the inner end of the regulating screw 34 as illustrated in Figure 5. Continued rotation of the shaft 1 causes the valve shifting member 21 to swing downwardly to the dotted showing position in Figure 5, and places a spring tension on the this position, the shaft 1 has traveled approximately seven-eighths of its entire travel and the member 21 is in its dead center position. As soon as the member 21 is moved slightly past dead center, and which movement is accomplished in approximately the last one-eighth travel of the shaft 1, the spring arms 38 exert an upward pressure on the pin 32 thus swinging the valve member l4 and the valve shifting member 21 to the position shown in Figure 6. This swinging. of the valve member |4 shifts the suction to the other side of the piston 8 whereupon the operation is reversed and the shaft 1 starts to rotate in a clockwise direction.

With the improved valve mechanism as shown, it will be seen thata novel arrangement has been provided to obtain the desired time delay between rotation of the rock shaft 1 and the shifting or swinging of the members l4 and 21, and also a novel spring arrangement for shifting the memobserved, the time bers l4 and 21. As will be delay between the shaft 1 and the valve shifting member 21 is obtained and is dependent upon, the depth of the slot 26 with respect to the inner end of the regulating screw 34. Adjustment of the screw 34 so as to regulate the spacing between the inner end of the screw and the bottom of the slot 26 will provide the desired time delay between the shaft 1 and member 21. The time delay between the valve member 4 and the shifting member 21 is obtained by the spacing between the arms I 6 being greater than the diameter of the pin 3|.

The mechanism will be substantially noiseless in operation, since when the bottom of the slot 26 comes into contact with the inner end of screw 34, the shaft 1 is rotating slowly and since the point of contact is small, there will be no clicking together of the metals. This same slow movement and small contact is also-true with respect to the contacting of the pin 3| with the arms l6 of the valve member., As the members l4 and 21 are shifted by the spring member 36, and the spring member assumes its normal shape, the same acts as a stop for the members 4 and 21 and since the spring member is connected to the shifting member 21, no click will be evident as swinging of the member 21 is stopped. As will be observed in Figure 6, when the member 21 has reached its maximum swing and is stopped by the out of engagement with the bottom of the slot 26 so that there will be no click at this point.

Thus it will be seen that the spring member 36 serves a dual purpose in that it not only exerts a 70 spring member 36, the screw 34 has been moved pressure for quick shifting of the valve member II to either port controlling position, but also serves as a check or stop for limiting swinging movement of the shifting member 21 in eitherdirection. The screw 34 serves a triple purpose in that it serves to retain the various members in assembled relation on the rock shaft 1; serves to regulate the time delay between the rotation of the rock shaft and the swinging of the shifting member 21; and thru this regulating of thetime delay, the arc thru which the wiper blade swings may also be regulated.

Changes in detail may be made to the form of invention herein shown and described without del5 parting from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

, 1. A valve action mechanism for windshield cleaner motors, comprising a rock shaft, a pivoted valve, a valve shifting member movable with a delayed motion by the rock shaft and having a lost play connection with the valve permitting delayed movement of the valve by the rock shaft,

and a spring device connected with the valve shifting member for imparting final movement to the valve with a quick motion and limiting movement of the valve shifting member.

2. A valve action mechanism for windshield cleanermotors, comprising a rock shaft, a pivoted valve, a valve shifting member having limited rotary movement on the rock shaft, actuating means between the valve and shifting member providing a. delayed movement of the valve by the shifting member, and a spring device connected to the valve shifting member for imparting final movement to the valve with a quick motion, said spring device also limiting movement of the valve shifting member.

3. A valve action mechanism for windshield cleaner motors, comprising a rock shaft, a valve pivoted on the shaft, a valve shifting member pivoted on the shaft and having limited rotary movement relative to theshaft, actuating means providing a delayed movement of the valve by the shifting member, and a spring member connected to the shifting member for imparting final movement to the valve thru said actuating means, said spring member yieldably checking movement of the shifting member.

4. A valve action mechanism for windshield cleaner motors, comprising a rock shaft, a valve pivoted on the shaft, a valve shifting member on the shaft, regulatable coupling means between the shaft and valve shifting member permitting 55 limited relative rotary movement thereof, means for swinging the valve thru movement of the valve shifting member, and spring means placed under tension thru movement of the shifting member for imparting a quick final movement 60 to the valve, said spring means also limiting movement of the valve shifting-member.

5. A valve action mechanism, comprising a rock shaft having a transverse slot, a valve pivoted on the shaft, a valve shifting member pivoted 5 on the shaft, means carried by the shifting member and extending into said slot for permitting limited rotary movement of the shifting member on the shaft, lost play coupling means between the valve and 70 spring member connected to the shifting member for imparting final movement to the shifting member and valve, said spring member also serving to check movement of the shifting member.

6. A valve action mechanism, comprising a rock 75 shaft having a transverse slot, a valve pivoted on shifting member, and athe rock shaft, a valve shifting member embodying a sleeve portion freely fitting on the rock shaft, a regulating screw threaded thru the sleeve portion and extending into said slot for limiting rotary movement of the sleeve portion on the shaft, a lost play connection between the valve and shifting member, and spring means for imparting final movement to the valve and shifting member with a quick motion.

7. A valve action mechanism, comprising a rock shaft provided with a transverse slot having a fiatbottom surface, a valve pivoted on the shaft,

a valve shifting member slidable axially onto the shaft, means on the shifting member and extending into said slot radially of the shaft to co-act with the bottom surface of the slot and adjustable for varying the amount of relative rotary movement between the shifting member and the shaft, a lost play-pin-connection between the valve and shifting member, and a spring device placed under tension upon partial movement of the shifting member by the rock shaft and imparting final movement to the shifting member and valve with a quick motion when the shifting member is moved past a dead center position by the rock shaft.

8. A valve action mechanism, comprising a rock shaft having a transverse slot, a valve pivoted on the shaft, a valve shifting member on the shaft, a regulating screw on the shifting member and extending into said slot to limit relative rotary movement between the shaft and shifting member, a lost play connection between the valve and shifting member embodying a pin, and a spring member having one end connected to said pin for imparting final movement to the shifting member with a quick movement, said spring also checking movement of the shifting member and causing said regulating screw to be moved out of movement limiting contact with the rock shaft.

9. A valve action mechanism, comprising a rock shaft having a transverse slot, a valve pivoted on the shaft and provided with spaced apart arms, a valve shifting member on the shaft, a regulating screw on the shifting member and extending into said slot radially of the shaft, a pin carried by the shifting member to extend between said arms for imparting movement to the valve, and a spring member having one end connected to said pin for imparting final movement to the valve and shifting member with a quick motion after the pin has moved into contact with one of said arms of the valve.

l0. A valve action mechanism, comprising a rock shaft provided with a, transverse slot having a flat bottom, a valve pivoted on the shaft and having a pair of spaced apartv arms, a valve shifting member embodying a sleeve fitting on the shaft, a regulating screw threaded radially thru the sleeve and extending into said slot to co-act with the bottom thereof andpermittinglimited rotation of the sleeve on the shaft, a pin carried by the shifting member parallel to and be- I the rock shaft.

11. A valve action mechanism, comprising a rock shaft, a valve pivoted on the shaft and having a pair of spaced apart arms extending downwardly, a valve shifting member pivoted on the shaft and having limited rotary movement relative to the shaft, a pin carried by the shiftingmember below the shaft and having its inner end extending between said arms, said end having a diameter less than the spacing between the arms, and a spring member embodying a pair of spring ed at their upper ends upon the outer end of said pin and having their lower ends mounted on a fixed pivot in vertical a 8nment below said shaft.

12. A valve action mechanism for windshield cleaner motors, comprising a valve seat, a rock shaft having a transverse slot, a valve pivoted on the shaft for movement on the seat, a valve seating member encircling the shaft and held against rotation,a valve shifting member on the shaft, means carried by the shifting member andshifting member.

CHARLES S. PREVITI. 

